Arsenal 0 Blackburn 1: Black-out for Wenger

The Arsenal boss, once untouchable and the thought of his job being under threat unthinkable, is in the firing line.

Colin Kazim-Richards scuffed home a 72nd-minute winner to end Arsenal’s run of 34 unbeaten FA Cup ties at Highbury and The Emirates.

The boos at the end – and they were loud – said it all, Arsenal fans seem to have had enough.

Blackburn Rovers were a team. Arsenal were not. They had nothing up front but hope.

Wenger has not delivered a winning side since they beat Manchester United on penalties to lift the 2005 FA Cup.

Losing in the only competition they had a realistic hope of winning is one thing – but to do so to against a side from a division below and constantly in turmoil is embarrassing.

Arsenal have only the Champions League left in which to restore their pride and reputation.

And on this performance Tuesday’s opponents Bayern Munich will be slapping their lederhosen in delight if this is the best the Gunners can offer. Chuckles from Germans, not known for their sense of humour, could almost be heard all the way from Bavaria.

The Gunners were simpy not good enough to break down a side that came to defend and play on the break.

Wenger has a huge task on his hands to rebuild confidence before Bayern arrive for the first leg of their last-16 knockout tie.

Arsenal were leggy, unimaginative, lacking in quality and had too many players who believed they were far too good for lower league opposition.

The result was a mish-mash of talent and it shredded the credentials of some who want to catch Wenger’s eye in the coming months.

Arsenal’s best team was on the bench but there should still have been enough quality to bury a side that in recent years has done enough to bury itself.

They forced 12 corners in the first half but wasted chance after chance.

This was Blackburn boss Michael Appleton’s third strike this season at the FA Cup, after previously being boss of Portsmouth and Blackpool – but even he must not have expected this.

The Gunners fired over the crosses but target man Olivier Giroud seemed to be elsewhere when they arrived.

It was painfully one way traffic with heroic Blackburn keeper Jake Kean either punching clear or producing a wonder save to deny Abou Diaby’s header from Tomas Rosicky’s corner in the 25th minute.

Arsenal were often let down by their first touch and woeful crossing with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the biggest culprit.

Gervinho shot wide with only Kean to beat just before the break and Rosicky thundered a 25-yard shot on to the bar in the 69th minute.

Frustrated Wenger sent on Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla in the 70th minute but less than three minutes later Blackburn took the lead. Martin Olsson’s shot was punched by Wojciech Szczesny straight to Kazim-Richards whose mis-kick bounced off the turf but still found the net.

Wenger insisted Arsenal’s season is not over but said: “The fans have every right to be upset.

“Sixteen years without losing at home before says something, though.

“Now playing Bayern has become an even more massive game.

“We are very, very disappointed but I did not start with the wrong side – they were virtually all internationals. We are hurt but we move on.”

Appleton is aware he could become a quiz question but said: “I hope I am still here when we reach the final.

“This is the biggest win of my career. It’s six games now since we have lost but Hull on Tuesday night is just as important. The Championship is our bread and butter.

“Colin’s shot was interesting. He tried to keep it down and not reach row Z. He’s a boyhood Arsenal fan.

“As for Jake Kean, he is a player who has a promising future.

“We knew Arsenal lost to Bradford and we had a meeting on Friday night and the message was not to regret anything.”